Notebook: LaBoy, Barnes benefit from economy of snaps

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) runs under pressure from San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Travis LaBoy during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
— AP

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) runs under pressure from San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Travis LaBoy during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
/ AP

There was less of Antwan Barnes and Travis LaBoy this past Sunday, yet more.

With Shaun Phillips out four games with a foot injury and an injury to Larry English essentially making him a non-factor even before he went on injured reserve in October, the two veteran outside linebackers were forced in the middle of the season to not only start but play almost every snap of a stretch of games.

Phillips back for three games and getting healthier meant Barnes and LaBoy were able to play fewer snaps against the Buffalo Bills than they had in several weeks —and, thus, they were as effective as they’ve been in a while.

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That was especially true of LaBoy, who was impacting plays behind the line of scrimmage more often and even tipped a pass.

“He probably had his best game since he’s been here,” head coach Norv Turner said. “… It’s a cumulative effect. I mean, you go five or six straight games and play 60 snaps a game, it takes a toll. The last two weeks obviously he’s played much less than that, and it’s shown in his energy level and his performance.”

LaBoy’s 41 snaps against the Buffalo Bills were his fewest played since before the Chargers’ Week 5 bye. He played all but five snaps in the four games Phillips missed.

Barnes, too, played his fewest snaps (27) since Week 7, the game in which Phillips hurt his foot. He hurried Ryan Fitzpatrick into an interception and got his team-leading seventh sack, which was his first sack in four games.

Inside concern

It’s not a good thing that the Chargers practiced without either of their inside linebackers Wednesday, especially considering the Chargers are about to face Ray Rice.

But it likely does not signal the worst-case scenario either.

Takeo Spikes (back) and Donald Butler (foot) are expected to play against the Baltimore Ravens and the league’s fifth-leading rusher. Butler, who was injured early but returned to play in Jacksonville on Dec. 5, also missed last Thursday and Friday but played Sunday. He did go just 12 snaps, as Na’il Diggs and Bront Bird filled in.

Spikes has been experiencing back spasms since Friday, a day on which he did not practice. Spikes played 53 of the Chargers’ 60 defensive snaps against the Bills.